REV. IWASSACCA, CHAIRMAN OF BRAZIL MISSIONARY HEADQUARTERS, RECEIVES HONORARY CITIZENSHIP OF SAO PAULO, THE FIFTH RECIPIENT FROM SEICHO-NO-IE
Rev. and Mrs. Iwassacca (right)
showing gratitude for receiving award
On August 25 Rev. Yoshihico Iwassacca (Ordained Minister, Chairman of Brazil Missionary Headquarters) received Sao Paulo’s honorary citizenship from the Sao Paulo City Assembly.
According to the Brazil Missionary Headquarters, the honorary citizenship is presented in recognition of contribution made to the citizens of Sao Paulo. Rev. Iwassacca is the fifth from Seicho-No-Ie to receive the citizenship after the late Rev. Miyoshi Matsuda (Ordained Minister, former Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America, received on March 31, 1979); Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, Vice President of Seicho-No-Ie, received August 16, 1993); Rev. Haruo Shibuya (Ordained Minister, former Bishop of Seihco-No-Ie Latin America, received on August 5, 1997); and Rev. Yoshio Mukai (Ordained Minister, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America, received on August 23, 1997).
The presentation ceremony took place during the Fifth Seicho-No-Ie Brazil National Convention (Portuguese) held on August 25 in Sao Paulo. Two assemblymen attending the Convention presented the certificate. Rev. Iwassacca gave words of appreciation, saying, “This is all thanks to the great efforts of leaders and members to propagate Seicho-No-Ie’s wonderful teaching, man is a child of God. This is not the recognition of my contribution alone. I believe that I received it as a representative of the organization. I would like to thank each one of you.” The attendees were deeply moved.
Rev. Iwassacca became Chief of the Brazil Youth and Young Adult Association in 1977. In 1981, he became a director of the Brazil Missionary Headquarters, and in 1985, he was employed by the Brazil Missionary Headquarters. Subsequently, he held important positions, becoming Chairman of the Brotherhood Association in 1986; Chief of Argentina Missionary Area in 1988; Chief of the Lecturers’ Department in 1990; Chief of Paraguay Missionary Area in 1991; and Chief of Columbia Missionary Area in 1995. He has been the Chairman of the Brazil Missionary Headquarters since 2001. In 1982, he received the Cabral Award for his social contribution to the community from the Government of Sao Paulo City, while in 2005, he received honorary citizenship from the Salvador City, Biah State.